"I've really taken a big risk this time. You at least owe me a contribution award, the kind that's publicly given to me," Ian displayed a look of lingering fear.
"You certainly deserve that award, without a doubt. You've fulfilled your promise to Hogwarts," Albus Dumbledore nodded slightly, not refusing.
"Which time are you from now?" Ian asked, satisfied, as he buried his head into devouring the lamb leg. He had to admit that the house-elves at Hogwarts were indeed quite skilled.
The surface of the lamb tasted golden and crispy, while the inside remained incredibly tender. The seasoning had completely permeated the meat without leaving any muttony taste.
The spiciness of the peppers was just right; eating a few bites didn't overwhelm the mind.
"Due to some rules of time travel, for the sake of prudence, this is something I cannot tell you," Albus Dumbledore looked down at the Time Converter hanging on his chest. This wasn't the one he asked Nicolas Flamel to repair; it was simply the modern Time Converter specially approved by the Ministry of Magic for little wizards.
As the headmaster of Hogwarts, it's not particularly challenging to apply for or get one.
"You must be from the future because you already know what happened in the underground room," Ian deduced based on the information he had.
Albus Dumbledore nodded noncommittally.
"I didn't expect little Hogwarts to have three of you existing at the same time... My old senior is really unfortunate," Ian clicked his tongue in wonder, reaching for lemonade to cleanse his palate.
However.
He saw Albus Dumbledore smiling.
"???"
Ian was always adept at reading people; he immediately read other information from Albus Dumbledore's smile. His not-so-small eyes widened again.
"More than three!?"
Ian sucked in a cold breath.
Albus Dumbledore continued his silent response with a smile, which spoke volumes without words.
The little wizard's curiosity was instantly piqued.
"Five? Six? Seven or eight?"
His voice was surprised and increasingly dubious.
At this moment, Albus Dumbledore's gaze was somewhat inscrutable to Ian.
"I'm writing a paper on the research of time travel, so I will try some extreme operations to understand the deeper rules of time travel."
The old headmaster's evasive response made Ian's imagination run wild.
"But we all know the use of the Time Converter comes with a cost. The more you interfere with time, the greater the cost. History is filled with people lost in time travel."
"No one knows how they disappeared, nor what they attempted to do. Countless facts tell us the Time Converter cannot change anything," Ian knew Albus Dumbledore surely understood more than he did, yet he couldn't help but remind the old headmaster.
Albus Dumbledore just nodded to this, "I am well aware of the taboos of time travel. The more of oneself existing at the same time, the more likely unforeseen disasters will occur... However, I don't believe I will become a victim lost in time. I have discretion over what should and shouldn't be done."
"Someone needs to explore this domain, and now I'm a pioneer. I am convinced I can fully understand the things that remain unclear to people."
Albus Dumbledore's voice was calm and gentle, yet carried an irresistible confidence. For someone who reached his peak, confidence is never lacking.
"I hope you really know what you're doing..." Ian slapped away a hand that tried to grab the last lamb leg, tearing off the lamb's backside and stuffing it into Albus Dumbledore's hand.
His protective behavior made Albus Dumbledore chuckle.
"Of course, your concerns aren't unfounded. I can't guarantee I won't encounter any mishaps, which is why you had to face Voldemort head-on today."
Albus Dumbledore set down the lamb's backside, which likely only Abeforth liked.
"Let's see if I can manage without you facing that noseless one?" Ian again gulped down the lemonade in his hand, while the peppers he had the elves find were getting progressively spicier.
"No."
Albus Dumbledore gently shook his head, his deep and profound gaze behind the crescent-shaped glasses stared at the little wizard before him.
"It's to see if you can... shatter fate."
There was a touch of gratification in Albus Dumbledore's voice, "The facts proved you indeed managed to tear open a gap in the fate that had been anchored."
"After verifying this, I think many things will no longer be complicated." He noticed Ian's cup was empty and immediately refilled the empty cup with his wand.
"There's still a snake, a diary, I can take them down," Ian looked up expectantly at the old professor, not hiding his craving for Voldemort's soul.
The Magic Runes on his body gradually dimmed, and Ian could feel his magic power still growing, though he wasn't sure how to ascend to the rank of legend.
"Hmm?"
Albus Dumbledore glanced at Ian in surprise. Apparently, he hadn't expected Ian to know this much, as even Grindelwald hadn't fully seen Voldemort's soul artifacts.